Chapter 7
Home
The train ride was boring compared to most years. Both Ginny and Hermione fell fast asleep, which left Ron and Harry to discuss Quidditch and their summers, though most of the time was spent in a comfortable silence.
When the train stopped however, Harry's heart gave a jump. He was home. He loved staying with the Weasleys, but this was home. It wasn't the castle that his heart was being pulled towards, it was a chamber hidden within the castle that called out to him, and he already knew that he would be spending his first night out of his dorm.
The four of them collected their things and headed for the exit. The moment he stepped out of the train, his senses were overwhelmed with things that meant home to him. From the smell and dampness that always seemed to linger near the lake, to the loud intimidating voice of Hagrid with his annual chant of "Firs' years!". He couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face, or the feeling of safety and peace that was enveloping him in its comforting embrace.
"It's good to be back, isn't it?" Ron asked, noting the look on Harry's face.
"Great," Harry answered.
"Am I that intolerable to live with?" Ginny asked mildly, but her grin giving away the fact that she was joking.
Harry pulled over a serious mask as they climbed into their horseless carriage. "Yes, Rose, you are an absolute horror. I can't understand how in Merlin's name I survived all summer, and injured at that."
"Well, Harry," Ron answered, just as serious even as Ginny was sticking her tongue out at them, "you do have a habit of surviving the un-survivable."
Harry nodded solemnly and even as both Ginny and Hermione laughed, both the boys kept serious until the joke was past. Sally didn't laugh either, but rather was watching out the window, distracted.
Before long, they were seated back at the old Gryffindor table, waiting for the first years to cross the river and scanning the table for new teachers.
"That must be the new Defense teacher," Ginny pointed out. They all looked at the unfamiliar faces among the staff. It was a small woman, with thin brown hair and large brown eyes. She tried to look everywhere at once and jerked slightly in her movements in a way that reminded Harry of a rabbit.
"Well, at least she doesn't look evil."
"Wonder how Dumbledore managed to get her to take the job?"
"Well, no Defense professor has had a major accident in a few years. Both Remus and Heather left for their own reasons. Maybe the fear's going down."
"The position is cursed," Ron muttered.
"You know," Ginny started, "I was thinking last year, that maybe it really is cursed. A teacher won't last over a year. I mean, how more messed up can our Defense Against the Dark Arts education get then having a new teacher every year. It makes it choppy, you know? Wouldn't that be a great plot? To keep the next generation from getting a good education in Defense?"
Harry stared at her. "I pray that you are dead wrong."
Ginny shrugged. "I hope so too. But you know, it's not working that well. We're still learning, just not as good as we could be if say, Remus taught all seven years."
She was interrupted when the door opened, and Professor McGonagall led in a group of students that seemed scared out of their minds.
"They're younger this year," Hermione whispered.
"Dumbledore said something about that last year. More of them are being brought in early, like Randy. He said that there were more this year that had to come, and they wanted others simply because that was when they were still disappearing. Of course, that was before we stopped Voldie."
"Hey Harry, your first sorting since your own, right?" Ron asked. Harry nodded and grinned. They watched McGonagall carry over the stool and hat, setting it down on top.
She backed away and after a moment of tense silence for the new first years, the rip at the rim opened and it began it's song.
"I am the Hogwarts sorting hat,
And this time every year,
I peer into your head and see,
Each hope and dream and fear.
And once I've looked into your mind,
Then I will always know,
Into which of our four houses,
You were meant to go.
The founders trust in only me,
Although I hate to boast,
To choose qualities in students,
They once did value most.
Into four diverse houses,
You'll soon all divide,
Where you will find a family,
To which you'll be tied.
The real Ravenclaw needs,
To possess a sharp wit,
Intellect, and enough resolve,
To not give up or quit.
A true student in Hufflepuff,
Must be loyal to get by,
The best isn't important,
As long as you all try.
Slytherin wants only those,
Who allow nothing in their way,
In their path to power and greatness,
To the top where they will stay.
A true Gryffindor student,
Will never tell a lie,
Brave in soul and pure in heart,
Until the day they die.
And these qualities I seek,
While in your head I peer,
Everybody fits somewhere,
It's the same thing every year.
But the houses have a quality,
That is rarely told,
Something a bit deeper,
Then smart, loyal, sly, or bold.
A hidden quality for each house,
That you don't need to get in,
But to have sets you above,
Others in your house kin.
A Ravenclaw is one for logic,
But to be set apart,
Logic takes second place,
When confronted with the heart.
A Gryffindor will never lie,
But if a secret can't be shown
Will know how to deceive,
With just the truth alone.
A Hufflepuff is kind hearted,
And will support what's right,
But knowing is not always enough,
Sometimes you have to fight.
A Slytherin usually strives,
To gain power without price,
But the quality concealed in some,
Will be their self sacrifice.
Now you know what some forgot,
And please keep it in mind,
Take a look inside yourself,
What quality do you find?
On this inquisitive note,
My song comes to an end,
Keep hair flat and hats on,
Till I see you again."
A strong burst of applause followed the song from the students sitting, while the first years still standing just stared. McGonagall started to read off the names, and Harry's attention drifted. He clapped when he noticed Ron was, but his mind was on the chamber. He was home sick for it in a way he'd never experienced before. And he had something to put back. He knew he wasn't supposed to take the journals out, and he didn't take the last one, the most important one, but he hadn't finished all the others, and he couldn't bare to part with them for three months.
After a great long while, with several new faces gracing their table, the list of children finally drew to an end. McGonagall removed the hat and stool from the room, and Professor Dumbledore stood.
"Welcome, everyone, to another year. I have a few matters of importance. May I introduce to you our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Cameron. This is her first year as an instructor, so I hope you'll all make her feel welcome." He smiled at her, and she smiled back weakly, not looking at the crowd of students with their attention focused on her.
"The forbidden forest, is of course, forbidden to all present. Magic is not permitted in the hallways or dorms, only in the classrooms. There are two open positions on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team this year, and try outs will be held next Friday. Also, Mister Filch has asked me to remind you that working at a joke shop is no excuse to be in possession of illegal objects. If anybody would like a list of objects considered illegal, it can be found posted outside of Mister Filch's office door.
"And now that you've had your fill of an old man's ramblings, please enjoy your fill of food."
Harry ate quickly, and entertained himself with idle conversation with Sally when a voice interrupted his thoughts. "Excuse me, Mister Potter?" came a timid voice. Harry turned expecting to see a student, and was surprised when he found himself looking at the new teacher.
"Yes?"
"Could you follow me, please?" Harry glanced at his friends, as if hoping that they would somehow know what was going on, but they were just as confused.
"Ah, sure. Stay here, Sal."
"Careful Harry," Ron hissed quietly as Professor Cameron started to lead the way out of the room. "The timid ones are evil, remember?"
Harry nodded seriously, mostly to shut Ron up rather then agree with him, and followed the new professor out of the hall. He expected her to explain herself, but she just walked silently slightly ahead of him, leading the way to what he knew to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's office.
When he walked inside, he was surprised by who was there to greet him. "Professor Lupin!"
Remus smiled warmly, though it made his face tighten and tiny wrinkles appear around his eyes. There was gray hair at his temples and Harry had a hard time believing that he was no older then Sirius, which is to say, no older then thirty-five. "It's good to see you Harry."
Harry was slightly surprised when Remus walked over and wrapped him in a hug, but it was a pleasant surprise. "It's great to see you too, but why are you here?"
Remus sat back down, with a wince that made Harry worry. He tried to remember the moon chart. If it was before or after a full moon it might explain why Remus seemed in such bad health. He hoped it wasn't because he wasn't living well. He felt suddenly guilty for not keeping in touch.
"I'm here, Harry, to take over the classes Sirius was teaching you."
At the use of his Godfather's name, Harry immediately looked over at Professor Cameron, who was still in the room. "Don't worry about Lani, Harry. You can trust her. Give me a minute and I'll explain."
Harry pulled up a chair also to sit with Remus, while Lani stood awkwardly near the corner, silent. "First thing, Harry, is Sirius and Heather want me to tell you that they haven't forgotten you, but at the moment they can't contact you."
"Did they get my letter?" Hedwig hadn't returned before they left, so he wasn't sure if they had yet or not.
"Yes, late last night. I was with them at the time."
"Are they tracking Wormtail?"
Remus nodded. Harry thought he looked tired. "Yes, they are, and they think he might be connected with this attack aimed at Ginny. They're doing the best they can, and we really can't do anything else for her right now. At least she's back where we know she's safe."
Harry nodded, before voicing his next concern. "Are Heather and Sirius okay?"
"They're both quite fine. It's a little tense at the moment, but there hasn't been anything drastic yet. They're working through other followers of Voldemort to see if they can trace Peter, and with little luck."
Harry noted, with quite a bit of surprise, that Professor Cameron didn't even flinch at Voldemort's name.
"Do you know when they'll be back?" he asked.
Remus shook his head. "I don't. But I'm sure they'll try to see you as soon as they can. They should be able to write in a few days time. Until then, there's this," he said, reaching behind him and taking an envelope off he counter.
Harry opened it to reveal a birthday card. Inside was a note in what he knew to be Sirius' handwriting. Happy late birthday Harry. Sorry we couldn't be there. We'll make it up to you, promise. With love, us.
Harry looked up again. "What about Professor Cameron?" he asked, feeling slightly awkward talking about her while she was in the room.
"Lani was from a year between your mother and Heather. She's a prior Gryffindor, and she's really why I'm able to be here." Harry watched as Remus' cheeks reddened slightly. "Last year, Sirius was able to stay in the school disguised as Paul. The staff all knew who he really was, but the reason he was able to stay is because it's so hard to find somebody to take the Defense position. So Professor Dumbledore could say that the only way he could get Heather to agree to teach was to allow her to have her boyfriend with her."
Harry nodded, he'd known that last year. "Well," Remus went on, "Lani is allowing me to pose as her boyfriend so I can stay here too, so that I can teach you the things the real Professors aren't allowed to, like Sirius did."
"So you'll be here all year?" Harry asked, and Remus nodded, the blush starting to fade from his cheeks. Harry turned to look at Lani. "It's nice to meet you, Professor, thanks for your help."
Lani smiled slightly, shifting from one foot to the other. "It's nice to meet you too, Mister Potter."
Harry felt his smile falter. She didn't want him to call her by her first name in private, and she'd called him Mister Potter. She obviously wasn't going to be anything like Heather. He liked to have such personal friendships with his Professors, it made class more fun. "So why did you take the D.A.D.A position, Professor?" he asked politely.
He noticed that she focused at some point above his head rather then on him. "My brother was turned into a vampire when he was your age."
Harry nodded, turning back to face Remus. That would explain a lot. Why she wanted to teach children to defend against the dark arts, and why she would be comfortable with Remus. Vampire bites and werewolf bites were startlingly similar, the main difference being that one affected every day of your life, while the other only once a month.
"Are you going to be hiding from the school?" Harry asked.
Remus shrugged. "Not hiding, we're not going to try to keep it a secret from the students, but rather I'll just keep a low profile. Make sure some people see me once, so they know I'm here and not trying to hide. It's only if I hide that they'll undoubtedly find out and then be upset. I think that's all I needed to tell you."
Harry nodded, taking the hint and rising to leave. He turned to say goodbye to Professor Cameron, but she wasn't there. "I'll see you in a few days then?"
Remus nodded. "I'll contact you and let you know when we'll be meeting." Remus stood also, following Harry to the door. Harry opened it and held it for Remus, who exited. He was about to follow when a voice called him.
"Mr. Potter?" He turned. Professor Cameron stood next to where he had previously been sitting, holding a quill he instantly recognized as his, but didn't remember taking out. "You dropped this."
"Oh," he said, walking over and taking it from her. "Thanks."
She nodded and turned, quickly Harry exited. Remus was no where to be seen in the hallway. He tried to estimate if the feast would be over yet or not. He figured it would.
He wanted to go to the chamber, but he should probably check in at the dorm before he did. However, the prospect of the overwhelming number of people that would be in the common room at this point made his stomach feel queasy.
He shrugged the feeling of guilt off of his back, and headed straight for Godric's Chamber.
Walking from the school into the chamber was like stepping into another world. There was a large contrast of the peaceful, untouched, homey chamber to the stone floors, tall doors, high ceilings, and shouting voices of the rest of the school. The only place that it did feel sort of similar to was the Gryffindor common.
He paused for a moment to take in all the paintings in the greeting room, grinning from ear to ear, happy to be home.
He walked through the living room and kitchen to reach his parent's bedroom. He paused for a moment, to breathe in and memorize the smell of the room that he had come to associate with his parents. He'd never know what they really smelled like, so he used this to fill that gap.
He turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. He'd slept on that bed before, but it wasn't something he did often. It seemed like something that should be saved for special occasions.
He crashed down on the couch, completely alone for the first time since Ginny had showed up on his door step. Sleep came to him almost instantly, and he slept well for what he feared would be the last night now that he had returned to school.
Harry woke the next morning with the start that always accompanies the complete and total transition from deep sleep to awake within a heartbeat. His mind quickly ran through the basics, who he was, where he was.
He jumped off the couch when he realized he had no idea what time it was, or if classes had started yet.
The halls were frighteningly empty as he ran from the chamber to the Gryffindor common room. Which could either mean that they were all in the great hall or that class had started. For what he doubted would be the last time that year, he thanked his lucky stars that Hermione was a Prefect, and shouted the password at the Fat Lady.
He changed and gathered his books in record speed, before running flat out towards the Great Hall. He wouldn't have to go in, if he ran past it he would know where everybody was. He mentally scolded himself for not checking a clock or something in the dorm.
There was a large amount of noise coming from the great hall, and his heart gave a thankful lurch. He stopped dead in the hall and paused for a moment to take several deep breaths, before walking into the room.
He stopped, shocked, when ever face turned toward him. Nobody was sitting, nobody was eating. A relieved look passed over Professor Dumbledore's face. "Harry!" Ron shouted.
His eyes wide, a little frightened as to what was going on, Harry watched as Ron ran up to him. "What happened to you?"
Harry stared at him, then realized Ron was waiting for an answer. "Nothing happened to me. What's going on?"
"You went away with that new Professor and never came back last night."
And suddenly Harry understood. He looked up where the staff was located and saw Professor Cameron surrounded by other Professors, her face covered in a relief that was bone deep and Harry felt guilty.
"Look, I'm fine. I would have been a little late, but I'm fine."
Ron blushed slightly. "Sorry, I shouldn't have told McGonagall you didn't come in last night.
Harry shook his head and walked up to the staff, hanging his head respectively. "Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said with a slight smile. It was then that Harry noticed Remus standing behind Professor Cameron. So much for staying low.
"Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry…" he faded off, not sure what he should be sorry for.
Dumbledore's smile broadened. "It isn't a problem, Mr. Potter. Your friend Ron was just a little worried about you around three this morning when he awoke to find you still not back from you visit with Mr. Lupin and Professor."
"I wasn't there," Harry insisted. He couldn't let Professor Cameron get blamed for his homesickness not waiting one night. "Remus knew." It slipped out before he stopped it, and he wondered if Remus would mind Harry calling him by his first name.
But Remus hadn't. He'd gone back in the office after Remus had left. Being the last person to be seen with him, they all had no choice but to assume Professor Cameron had something to do with his appearance.
"I went to a tower last night to clear my head and I fell asleep," he said firmly. It was true, sort of.
"Well then, that settles it. I do believe it's time to get classes underway. You're excused Mr. Potter, and our apologies for the misunderstanding." Harry could tell that Dumbledore hadn't been worried at all, and then the reason why spoke up behind him.
"I told them you were fine."
Harry spun around to see Ginny, leaning against the wall with Sally around her waist. "I told them I would have known if something was wrong with you. I knew where you were, but I couldn't tell them that. I told Ron too, but he didn't want to believe me. He was positive the new Defense Professor had kidnapped you or something. Then he told McGonagall, who told Dumbledore, who wasn't worried when I told him you were fine. But Snape went nuts, and con-"
Several of the professors were listening to Ginny with slightly amused expressions. She pushed off the wall and advanced towards Harry. He felt his heart beat rise as she came closer then normal, but then slowed when he realized she was just letting Sally transfer to her rightful owner.
"Here's your schedule. You're going to need it. And we need to talk later." With that, she picked up her bag and left the room, leaving Harry standing shocked. Was Ginny angry with him about something? What had he done?
With an aggravated sigh, he shifted his bag and left the room also, his morning completely blown. He glanced at his schedule and nearly growled when he saw that he had potions, first thing, still with Slytherin.
Draco couldn't help but smirk as he watched Potter stalk off. He'd be great to piss off in Potions today. It wasn't his fault that Potter was making himself an easy target.
What a shitty way for the first morning of classes to go. Potions was already ten minutes late, and all because the Weasel panicked and in turn, caused Snape to panic at the thought of losing his only link to his lost love.
Snape would be in a bad mood today.
Draco walked slowly toward the dungeons. Ginny was lucky to make it back to school this year. He wondered if she even realized that three other half attempts on her life had failed over the summer.
He'd helped them fail.
He hated his father.
And his father wanted nothing more then to defeat the Weasleys.
Not something nobly evil, like take over the world, or overthrow Dumbledore or capture and ransom off the Minister of Magic. No, his father wanted to squash a family of poor red heads.
It disgusted Draco. And so did the people that his father was willing to work with to get the task done.
Besides, Ginny wasn't so bad. If she hadn't been head over heels in love with Potter, he'd consider her as a future wife. After all, she was a pureblood, and she was a looker, and would be even more so in a few years. And the Malfoy family had been pale blonde for too long, and that red hair bred true.
But she was Potter's. He'd tried a bit of charm on her the year before, just to see if she could be pulled away. He concluded by the end that it would be possible, but not worth the work it would take. And it would cause her to lose her spit, and that was the part of her that Draco sort of admired.
He didn't love her, but he didn't love anybody. He was just looking around. He was expected and required to find a suitable wife to pop him an heir. But he didn't want anybody like his mother. She was a push over. She did what his father said, when he said it.
He wanted a girl that would fight back when pushed. A girl he could always beat, but would make it more interesting of a fight. One he could let win once in a while. Not to mention the fact she had to be pure blood. He really didn't want to be forced to marry Pansy.
Pansy was his second cousin twice removed or something like that. In reality, he knew he was related to the Weasleys only about three generations back. His great, great grandfather was the half brother of Mrs. Weasley's great grandmother. That was the problem with pure blood, the rather large lack of it.
He walked into Potions to see that the Weasel was apologizing to Harry for making his disappearance into such a scene. Harry forgave him with a sigh and a wave, stating that 'something was bound to happen.'
Draco was going to make a smart comment, something along the lines of Weasley getting upset when Potter didn't come to bed last night, when Snape walked in.
Draco nearly rolled his eyes when Snape's eyes lingered on Harry for a moment. If he was trying to act like a cold pain in the ass, Snape certainly did a piss poor job of it. He'd nearly peed himself this morning when all the students had been asked to report to the hall and Potter wasn't there.
Everybody loved Potter.
That was Draco's only real reason for hating him. He wasn't into that 'hate him he's the leader of the Gryffindors' thing, or the 'support the dark lord by hating the boy who lives' thing. He just hated Potter because somebody had to do it, and Draco was very good at hating things, or at least acting like he did.
It was a pain in the ass that he had to work with him too. But being a spy didn't mean he had to like Potter, just stay near him.
He watched as Weasley leaned in and whispered a joke, something about Snape's hair, to Potter and the raven haired boy held back a chuckle.
Oh yes, he still hated him.
(A/N: Me: IMPORTANT Alrighty, Draco and I have quite a few things to say, so I suggest you READ THIS if you intend to follow this story. First of all, on the subject of updates. Do I want to continue this story? No. Am I going to anyway? Yes. Why? Because too many people would be pissed off, and you've all been so good to me, and I just don't have the heart to quit on you. Now, back when I used to read Harry Potter facfiction (I don't anymore in fear of influencing my own work) I noticed that most chapter stories, were abandoned within a year of creation. I would like to let you all know that come November, will be the forth year this series has been plotted/drafted/written/posted/edited. So am I going to quit? No. I'm also not going to promise you any updates in the near future, because I never keep them. So no more promises about when I update, only the promise that YES I will update. So any reviews asking "are you planning on continuing?" will be singled out and LAUGHED AT by me and Draco in the next chapter. snicker Now, also on the subject of updates, Draco has a few words for a Miss Hannah Abbot… (children may want to cover their ears/eyes)
Draco: FUCK OFF! FUCK YOU! You have absolutely NO right to DEMAND anything from Lily! In fact, in reference to your threat of not reading again, I DEMAND YOU DO STOP READING. Real fans understand that creation takes SUPPORT and time, not threats. Do you see anybody paying Lily to write this? Do you think writing this is going to benefit her at all in her future as a writer? She can't publish it, but she does it for the fans.
Me: That's enough. But I do agree. Quite frankly people, you guys are the only reason that this story doesn't just die. More reviews like that one, and shrug why would I want to continue? I'm not trying to threaten, just warn.
Now, new subject. Fanfanfiction. Yes, it's true. There are now two authors that I know of that are writing fanfiction off of my fanfiction. And frankly, it's more likely that they'll post more often. So, check out Josh Potter and LilyRosesBiggestFan. blush LilyRosesBiggestFan is my friend Tish, and I may appear in some of her author's notes…
Now, in reference to the Sal Fan Club. It's about to die. I'm sorry, if you are on my mailing list, it doesn't exist any more. I will revive it soon, but you'll have to rejoin. Too many people on it have long since changed their e-mails and I'm tired of getting "mail failed to send" notices.
Also, my E-mail and screen name are about to change. My new E-mail address will be I don't know about screen names yet.
[07/22/04 Editor's Note: Hello! This is Gwen, you may or may not know of me, but I'm going to be doing some very random editing of certain parts of the story, so once in a while I might feel the need to make a note here and there. These shall be called E/N's, and hopefully most of them will be short and sweet. Anyhoo! I just thought I'd tell y'all that Lily's new AIM SN is HikariYkarzel. Though I'm sure you could find that out in a number of places, I thought it'd be nice to add that. Now back to your regularly scheduled Author's Note. Gwen Oshino]
Now! This chapter took so long partially because of that HAT SONG. So, who wants to read some of my draftings!! Lol. CLOSE YOUR EYES KIDDIES!
Oh you all come back to school again for yet another year and hopefully survive this time with a whole lot less to fear For hogwarts is a magic school, attracting danger everyday but if you want to make it get out of Potter's WAY
But foremost in Godric's heart was not that he loved brave
no what ate at that man's mind was Salazar needed a shave
though he did love his students to have a daring nerve
Godric's main fault was he was such a perv
All Slytherin's are a bunch of pricks But I guarantee with giant dicks
And you wonder why it takes me so long giggle Every time I tried to write all I came up with is perverted… Now… anything else I'm forgetting.
Draco: Yes, idiot.
Me: OH RIGHT!!! This chapter is dedicated to all those of you who correctly guessed the song, it was Crazy For This Girl by Evan and Jaron. I heard that song and thought of our lovely couple, so I thought I'd stick it in there. It's also dedicated to the girl who sat on the floor of the gym during my brother's practice and asked me while I was waiting when I was going to post. I didn't know her, and sadly, I didn't ask her name, but she knew me, and it just made my day. So here's to you, cutie! Review and tell me who you are! So, I think that's all I have to tell you guys, thanks for sticking with me! Hey Drake, have you gotta big one like the song says????
Draco: I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer.
Me: You are no fun. Lily Rose)